Difference between revisions of "Tank Commander"

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Tank_Commander_in_Command_Cupola.png| A Tank Commander in his '''Command Cupola'''. Evidently from the [[Baal System]], possibly from either "Baal IV" as a planet, or a regiment with the designation of IV from [[Baal]] ([[Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition Rulebook|2nd edition]]).{{Fn|10}}
 
Tank_Commander_in_Command_Cupola.png| A Tank Commander in his '''Command Cupola'''. Evidently from the [[Baal System]], possibly from either "Baal IV" as a planet, or a regiment with the designation of IV from [[Baal]] ([[Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition Rulebook|2nd edition]]).{{Fn|10}}
 
Tank Commander Codex Imperial Guard (2nd Edition) pg 95.jpg| A Tank Commander of the [[Turan XXI]] in a [[Leman Russ Demolisher]] ([[Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition Rulebook|2nd edition]])
 
Tank Commander Codex Imperial Guard (2nd Edition) pg 95.jpg| A Tank Commander of the [[Turan XXI]] in a [[Leman Russ Demolisher]] ([[Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition Rulebook|2nd edition]])
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Deathkorp5.jpg|[[Death Korps of Krieg]] Tank Commander, [[Forge World (company)| Forge World]] miniature ([[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook|4th edition]])
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Deathkorp5.jpg|[[Death Korps of Krieg]] Tank Commander, [[Forge World (company)| Forge World]] miniature ([[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook|4th edition]]) Sculpted by [[Simon Egan]]
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Pask.jpg|Tank Commander [[Pask]] ([[Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook|5th edition]]), designed by [[Matt Holland]]
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Pask.jpg|Tank Commander [[Pask]] ([[Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook|5th edition]]). Sculpted by [[Matt Holland]]
 
Tank Commander Leman Russ 2023 Box.jpg|A Tank Commander ([[Warhammer 40,000 10th Edition Rulebook|10th edition]]){{Fn|8}}
 
Tank Commander Leman Russ 2023 Box.jpg|A Tank Commander ([[Warhammer 40,000 10th Edition Rulebook|10th edition]]){{Fn|8}}
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Grizmund.jpg|[[Lord General]] [[Coron Grizmund]]
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Grizmund.jpg|[[Lord General]] [[Coron Grizmund]] Sculpted by [[Mark Bedford]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  

Revision as of 22:38, 21 October 2025

A tank Commander riding in the cupola of his tank[1]

Tank Commanders are veteran Imperial Guard armour officers who have been given leadership over entire formations of Battle Tanks[4a]

Overview

Sometimes referred to as tread heads by infantry officers, to become a tank commander an officer requires singularly obsessive focus on mastery of the art of armored warfare. Veterans of dozens of battles and multiple wars, the average Tank Commander is a steel eyed Tank Ace, commanding very best crew the armoured regiment has to offer. These grizzled guardsmen are virtually one with their machine, possessing an implicit knowledge of armoured warfare in all its forms.[4a]

In the example of this Cadian battle group, a Tank Commander may be assigned overall command of the entire battle group, while a different Tank Commander has been placed in charge of three squadrons of Leman Russ Battle Tanks.[6]

The size of the formations a Tank Commander will oversee can vary, as can their actual rank within Imperial Guard Hierarchy. Examples include:

Tank Commanders possess an air of authority not only over their own crew but to entire squadrons of tanks, on par with that of an infantry commander directing the many squads of an infantry platoon.

Tank Commanders will often be assigned temporary command over infantry and artillery assets[4a] as well as siege assets such as Thunderers and Hellhounds.[2c] This may see them leading an armoured spearhead to break through the enemy lines ahead of a mighty infantry offensive, or digging in to defend vulnerable artillery, or outflanking an enemy to reduce and disperse the amount of incoming fire. Though infantry often grumble when assigned to a Tank Commander, feeling that they would not grasp the hardships and limitations of men on foot, such complaints turn to cheers at the sight of the Tank Commander leading his force to smash directly into the foe's ranks, guns blazing and treads churning up the enemy. Blending excellent personal combat experience with good leadership, the soldiers of non-armoured regiments soon learn to trust the Tank Commander's prowess.[4a]

A Tank Commander typically rides to battle in the cupola of a mighty Leman Russ battle tank[4a]. This can be of any pattern the regiment is able to provide[1]. Granted their pick of the armoured fighting vehicles available to their regiment, they are further entitled to pick their crew from the finest veterans.[4a]

Tank Commanders sometimes adorn the hull of their vehicles with battle trophies. Those of the Armageddon Ork Hunters are most famous for this, mounting the skull of a slain Warboss on the prow of their tank. Pious commanders may convert their tanks into mobile shrines, full of ornate reliquaries, burning braziers, and vox speakers to broadcast an unceasing stream of hymns and prayers onto the battlefield.[4a] Others will attempt to inspire their men by adopting a visible trademark look, such as swagger stick, a colorful billowing cape, a chest full of shiny medals, or a big cigar, making them easy to distinguish on the battlefield. However, should the they be wounded or slain, it could have a disastrous effect on the morale of their troops who are able to easily see their commander fall.[4d]

Tank Commanders may sometimes command from within a Super Heavy Vehicle such as a Baneblade[16a][16b][13][17b], where they will be better able to direct the fire of its various weapons and crew. In this position, the Tank Commander is able to accurately direct the fire of all the Baneblade's weapons and their gunners.[9][12] The Baneblade is able to serve as a mobile Field HQ, and its sight can bolster the morale of nearby troops.[16b]


Some Tank Commanders, such as Colonel Stranski, prefer to command their armored forces from the cupola of a Chimera instead.[16a]

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This article or article section is based on information from a Fanatic Press publication such as Fanatic Magazine or one of its predecessors (e.g. The Citadel Journal, Necromunda Magazine, etc.). These publications regularly featured articles submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

Leman Russ tanks firing indirect bombardments, as would be coordinated by a Tank Commander (and about to have an unfortunate encounter with Ork Kommandos)[11]

Customarily, the HQ tank in a Tank Company will be fitted with a Command Cupola for the Tank Commander, installed with specialist equipment such as comm-link scramblers, tactical cogitators, and uplink modules to connect with other officers in the field. These HQ tanks serve as the nerve center for an entire company, and allowing the Tank Commander to coordinate its actions even when the company is widely dispersed. While in a Command Cupola, he is able to direct the fire of up to nine other vehicles that are equipped with either Battle Cannons, Earthshakers, Heavy Mortars or Demolisher cannons, calling in the coordinates over comm-link and allowing them to elevate their guns to fire indirect bombardments over intervening terrain at any target the Tank Commander himself can see.[11]

In the event of an emergency, a Tank Commander is prepared to take over the position of a driver or a gunner in a vehicle in case they are slain, though they will be unable to coordinate the actions of company vehicles while doing so.[10]

Notable Imperial Guard Tank Commanders

Images

Miniatures

Similar Roles in Other Imperial Forces

The Adeptus Astartes are also known to employ Tank Commanders in charge of Space Marine armoured forces. Examples include:

Members of the Commissariat may requisition tanks, typically different patterns of Leman Russ Battle Tank [19], a Salamander[19][21] or even a Baneblade[20], in order to bolster the morale of nearby troops and vehicles from it.[16b][19] When in command of such a tank, they are able to boost the morale of an Armoured Company despite severe losses in armour and vehicles. This is mostly effective if the Commissar's tank makes itself visible to nearby Imperial armour - it is "un-Commissar like" for the Commissar's Tank to simply hide behind the lines out of sight.[19]

"Drive me closer - I want to hit them with my sword!"


See also

Trivia

TriviaScrollTrans.png

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

A Tank Commander within the Imperial military should not be confused with the conventional realworld concept of a "Tank Commander" (i.e. the commanding officer of a single tank and its crew), though they universally arise from and continue to hold such a position among an elite tank crew[1]. Rather, they are functionally closer to the concept of "Armor Officers" that: "command the armor units and combined Armed Forces during land combat."

While the distinction is not touched upon within Imperial Guard Codices or the Space Marine Codices, it is elaborated more within the Imperial Armour books. In these books Tank Commanders are typically specified as Tank Squadron Commanders or Tank Company Commanders, while the conventional term of "Tank Commander" is used in reference to the commanding officer of a single battle tank and its crew.[2b][2a]

Sources

Golden Demon Award 2006 Australia Booklet.jpg

This article or article section is based on entries to the Golden Demon competition such as those featured on White Dwarf, or similar public events showcases (e.g. exhibits at Warhammer World and local GW stores, Armies on Parade, Warhammer Championships, etc.) published by Games Workshop. These showcases regularly feature miniatures and content submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

Fanatic-Logo.jpg

This article or article section is based on information from a Fanatic Press publication such as Fanatic Magazine or one of its predecessors (e.g. The Citadel Journal, Necromunda Magazine, etc.). These publications regularly featured articles submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

Inquisitor40KForum.png

This article or article section is based on information from Inquisitor Magazine, a fan forum magazine not published by Games Workshop to which Games Workshop submitted rules and clarifications, which appeared alongside material submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established rules, information, or background lore.

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